Oct 03 2007
We’re Big in Japan
I’ve always been a little akward and a late bloomer as a result.
When the other 1st graders were crusing around on their three speeds I didn’t learn how to ride a bike until the latter part of myElementary days. I didn’t have my license until the day I turned 18. Itried skateboarding for the first time this summer and nearly brokemyself (which hurts more-thegritty asaphalt or the biting laughter of children?). Similarly, I havefinally realized my dream of playing in a crappy High School rock band,albeit 6 years after the fact.
I’mnot exactly sure how it happened. On the surface it seemed the resultof multiple instances of “being at the right place at the right time,”when in reality being a foreigner in Japan means that any place is theright place and any time is the right time so long as you keep yourselfopen.
WhenI landed in Japan with my bass strapped to my back it set the gears inmy supervisors head grinding towards the thought of me playing in herfriend’s band, even though they already had a bassist. Lo and beholdweeks later I get a text saying that their regular bassist can’t makeit to the next live and if I wanted to fill in as a pitch hitter?
Ofcourse I want to! But want and should are two different things. Messingaround in a basement playing Ramones covers with your buddies isdifferent then performing for scrupulous ears. We never even had adrummer! Plus, I haven¡Çt practiced since I arrived, had been onsabattical before that and pretty terrible on top of it all. But howcould I say no?
TheBand is ironically named “Detroit Junk Motors.” Senda, my supervisor’s friend, has been drumming with Abara (Vo/Gt) and Kenshiro (Ba) for the better part of the year. I don’tknow how Senda felt about the whole ordeal given that she doesn’t goovewith the music they play in the first place, but I got the vibe thatAbara was excited to use me as a living stage prop. I’m (1)White (2)Left-handed, and (3) from Detroit . What else could he ask for?
Abura used to work in an emergency supplies warehouse and we usedthat to practice for the week and a half before the show. Abura is areal stand-up guy, a man among men. He really pulled the room together. A 40-some firefighter with a kid, he has excellent musicsensabilities, talent, and the charisma it takes to be a good frontman. His advice to me;
“The key to bass is to keep playing. You fill out the sound so if you slip up, don’t hesitate, jump right back in even if it¡Çs the wrong note. We’re not studio artists and we don’t have to play like we are.”
Probably the worst advice you could give to someone, but there was something resreshing, something youngabout his viewpoint. I had a blast jamming with him and I’m thankfulthat he was patient enough to deal with my nonsense playing.
Thevenue itself was a restaurant that converts into a makeshift live houseas the opportunity presents itself. They’ve got a decent PA system withstacks of speakers, DJ gear, and recording equipment. There is no stageby any means, just an open area in the corner cramped with mikes andhalf stacks. We have to pay to get in, but at least there¡Çs foodprovided (cooked by the propriator’s son, no less.)
It’s go time! Hopped up on garlic fries and the utter surrality of the situation we proceed to rip everyone’s eardrums out.
THE SET LIST
1-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Nirvana
2-Come As You Are-Nirvana
3-You Know You Are Right-Nirvana
4-Birdmen-Thee Michelle Gun Elephant
5-G.W.D-Thee Michelle Gun Elephant
ENCORE
6-Smells Like Teen Spirit-Nirvana
Ourchoice of encore should give you an idea of the quality of the rest ofthe show, which is to say great fun for us and terrible for everyoneelse. Looking back I am simultaneously embaressed about how badly Iplayed and proud that
I accomplished something worthwhile. I practicedmyself raw in that short period and I have no regrets. Getting to play G.W.D. was awesome beyond words. Scratch one offthe list.
I accomplished something worthwhile. I practicedmyself raw in that short period and I have no regrets. Getting to play G.W.D. was awesome beyond words. Scratch one offthe list.
Now I can move onto bigger and better things, like learning how to play bass properly and rock climbing and Salsa dancing and exploring. There’s so much to do around Kanazawa that I almost feel bad about going to Kyoto this weekend. That’s why I have three years here, right?